Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits political subdivisions from accepting federal funds to enforce unlawful mask mandates.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any state agency, political subdivision, or school districts from enacting a COVID-19 vaccine for any employee, independent contractor, nonemployee vendor, volunteer, or student as a condition of attendance (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a state agency, political subdivision, or school district to require weekly COVID-19 testing as an alternative to vaccination requirements in order to maintain federal funding (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits state agencies, political subdivisions, and school districts from accepting federal funds to enforce unlawful mask mandates (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits any state agency, political subdivision, or school district from terminating, suspending or otherwise reducing compensation of an individual employed as a first responder for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Sec. 4).

• Defines “first responder” as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who is paid from public funds (Sec. 4).

• Establishes that an individual shall be eligible for unemployment benefits if their employment by a private employer is terminated, suspended, or otherwise reduced in compensation due to refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination (Sec. 5).

• Defines “private employer” as all employers other than the state, political subdivisions, and school districts (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits political subdivisions from accepting federal funds to enforce unlawful mask mandates.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any state agency, political subdivision, or school districts from enacting a COVID-19 vaccine for any employee, independent contractor, nonemployee vendor, volunteer, or student as a condition of attendance (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a state agency, political subdivision, or school district to require weekly COVID-19 testing as an alternative to vaccination requirements in order to maintain federal funding (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits state agencies, political subdivisions, and school districts from accepting federal funds to enforce unlawful mask mandates (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits any state agency, political subdivision, or school district from terminating, suspending or otherwise reducing compensation of an individual employed as a first responder for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Sec. 4).

• Defines “first responder” as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who is paid from public funds (Sec. 4).

• Establishes that an individual shall be eligible for unemployment benefits if their employment by a private employer is terminated, suspended, or otherwise reduced in compensation due to refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination (Sec. 5).

• Defines “private employer” as all employers other than the state, political subdivisions, and school districts (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text